Torpedo switch-signal



' (No Model.)

FQC. LEIMBBRT,B..J. vS T 85B. C. SPRINGST'EBN.

TGRPEDO GH SIGNAL. No. 471,980, Patented Mar. 29, 189,2.

llll! NrrED TATEs ATENT `EEioE..

FRANK OHAs. LEIMBERT, EDWARD J. sTOUT, AND ERAINARD o. sPRINGsTEEN, OE DENVER, COLORADO.

TORPEDO SWITCH-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 471,980, dated March 29, 1892.

Application filed December 1l, 1891,

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that we, FRANK CHAs. LEIMBERT, EDWARD J. STOUT, and BRAINARD C. SPRING- STEEN, citizens of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch Danger- Alarms; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, referencebeing had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in switch dan ger-si gnals.

In railroading there is probably nothing in the nature of accidents which causes the company such heavy damages and destruction of property and so much loss of life as that of trains running off an open switch and being derailed or ditched by the switch being accidentally left Open, Or the train running from the opposite direction when the switch is turned runs into the side track and crushes into the cars standing thereon. Automatic switches have been devised, but they are not reliable, and hence the necessity of some' means which shall be positive and reliable for giving a signal when the switch is left open.

The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide simple, efficient, and reliable mechanism for automatically placing a torpedo upon the track when the switch is turned. The parts are so arranged and connected that when the switch is turned the danger-signal is set, the torpedo being placed upon the track by the movement ofthe switch.

'Suitable connections are made, so that the torpedo may be placed upon the track at a distance from the switch, and suitable provision is made for taking up of the slack in such connection.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear,'and the novel features thereof will be specilically defined by the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letvation. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section similar to Fig. l with the parts in their other position. Fig. 4 is a diagram matic view.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the rail of known construction, and B a plate secured thereto, `having an inclined flange b to bear upon the inclined flange of the rail and adapted to su pport the operating parts at this point.

The plate B is provided with the ears b', between which is arranged the roller O, journaled on the pintle c, held in the said ears. The plate B is provided near its upper edge with ears b2, in which is held the rod C', and D is an arm pivotally supported at one end uponsaid rod and at its other end provided with some suitable means for carrying a torpedo. It is shown as being provided with a recess or groove (see Fig. 1) into which the end of the spring-arm E, carrying the torpedo F, is designed to be slipped, the said arm being held in place by a set-screwlf, as shown. The torpedo may be of any of the well-known or approved forms of construction, being designed to be exploded by the passing wheel of a train. l

G is a-spring coiled aboutthe rod C', as seen best in Fig. 2, with one end bearing upon the under face of the arm D to assist the latteri its movement upward.

H is a cord, wire, or chain attached at one end to a lug f on the arm D, and after pass` ing under the guide-rollerCis connected with one end of the lever l, which is pivoted at c' to some fixed part, and to this lever is connected the cord, chain, or wire J, the connection being near the free end, as shown in Fig. 2, and this cord or wire J is designed to be extended to and connected with the switchlever K, which is connected with the twoarmed lever L, as seen in Fig. 4f, the other arm of the lever being connected by the cord or wire M with a like signal-placing mechanism arranged upon the other side of the switch, as seen in Fig. 4, so as to set a signal upon each side of the switch, as will be understood from Fig. 4.

In order to automatically take up any slack that may occur in the connection between the IOO lever I and the switch-lever, a spring N is provided, which is attached at one end to the said lever and at the other end to some iixed part, as seen in Fig. 2.

The operation will be readily understood. W'hen the switch-lever is turned in either direction, the arm D, which is normally in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 3, is actuated through the medium of the connections above described, and the spring aids it in assuming the position shown in Fig. l, where it remains so long as the switch is turned. If, while in this position with the torpedo upon the track, a train comes along, the passing wheel will explode the torpedo and notify the engineer that there is danger in time to stop the train before coming to the switch. If the switch is turned back before the train comes along, the torpedo is moved with it into the position shown in Fig. 3 and the train passes along without giving any signal. The switch cannot operate without actuating the torpedoplacer.

The signals may be arranged at any desired distance from the switch and should be housed or boxed in in anysuitable manner to protect the operating parts.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

The box or casing inclosing the operating parts may be provided with a hinged door O, as shown by dotted lines in Figs. l and 3, so arranged as to be opened and closed by the passage of the torpedo, as illustrated in said views.

Vhat is claimed as new is- 1. The combination, with the switch-lever, of the plate attached to the rail, the springactuated pivoted arm pivoted on ahorizontal pivot on said plate, and the connection between said arm and lever, including a pulley on said plate, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the switch-lever, of a pivoted arm constructed to move in a vertical arc, means for detachably holding a torpedo thereto, a spring acting upon said arm, and connections, including a pivoted lever, between the said arm and switch-lever, as set forth.

The combination, with the switch-lever, of a pivoted spring-actuated arm arranged at a distance therefrom, means for detachably holding a torpedo on said arm, a spring acting upon said arm, a pivotcd lever connected With the said arm and with the switch-lever, and a spring acting upon said intermediate lever, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that we claim the above we have hereunto subscribed our names in the presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK CHAS. LEIMBERT. EDW'ARD J. STOUT. BRAINARD C. SPRINGSrlEEl iVitnesses:

GHAs. XV. PanADijon, .Moon T. Fist-inn. 

